Internet on Democracy and Undermining Democracy Essay read carefully about the requirment please, and make sure you answer both questions. and 4 pages and

Internet on Democracy and Undermining Democracy Essay read carefully about the requirment please, and make sure you answer both questions. and 4 pages and work cite pagethank you Please send your paper as a Word document (not
General Directions:
Write an essay explaining and supporting your views on one of the following topics. Write a total of 4-6
pages, typed, double-spaced. Write as clearly and concisely as you can. Explain any technical terms you use.
Pretend that, instead of being read by a teacher who has read all the class readings, your essay will be read by an
intelligent and well-informed person who has read no such material, and who needs to have the issues explained
in a way that does not assume any acquaintance with academic writing about ethics or about the social policy
issues you are discussing. Answer mainly in your own words. Put quotations in quotation marks (and use
quotes sparingly). When you borrow a phrase or argument or idea from another writer, give them credit. Be
sure: 1) that your essay has a clear thesis; 2) that you give reasons to support your thesis; 3) that you explain the
arguments that others have made (or might make) against your thesis; and 4) that you provide answers to those
arguments.
See the paper writing guides linked on the class website for lots more guidance.
Specific topic options:
1. Intellectual property: Why do some people think that it is important that our legal system provide strong
protections for ‘intellectual property’ in the form of patent and copyright laws? What reasons have been given
for strengthening those protections in recent years (by extending the period of copyrights, for example)? Why
do Benkler and Stallman (among others) think that these protections have become counter-productive, given the
economics of information production and, especially, the growth of ‘commons-based peer production’ (for
example: open-source/free software)? What do you think?
2. Can the Internet help us be more democratic or is it undermining democracy? Benkler (among others)
thinks that the Internet makes possible a more vibrant and democratic “public sphere’. Sunstein (among others)
thinks the effects on democratic politics may well be negative. Explain briefly the arguments on each side of
this debate. What do you think? (Who’s right? Why?) Do the developments in our public discourse
(increasing polarization and partisanship) since Benkler’s book was written (2006) show that his thesis is
flawed?

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